AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER AND LIQUIDATION
Exhibit: (2)
This Agreement and Plan of Merger and Liquidation (the “Agreement”) is made as of April 29, 2009 in
Dallas, Texas, by and among Highland Credit Strategies Fund, a Delaware statutory trust (“Acquiring
Fund”), Highland Distressed Opportunities, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Acquired Fund”), and HCF
Acquisition LLC (“Merger Sub”), a Delaware limited liability company and a wholly owned subsidiary
of Acquiring Fund. Each of the Acquired Fund and Acquiring Fund is sometimes hereinafter referred
to as a “Fund” or, together, the “Funds”.
This Agreement is intended to be and is adopted as a plan of reorganization within the meaning of
Sections 362, 368 and 381 of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
“Code”), and the Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, and the parties intend, for U.S.
federal income tax purposes, that the Merger and Liquidation (each, as defined below) together be
treated as a reorganization under Section 368(a) of the Code.
The reorganization will consist of the merger (the “Merger”) of Acquired Fund with and into Merger
Sub in which Merger Sub will be the surviving entity and pursuant to which common stockholders of
Acquired Fund will receive full shares of beneficial interest of Acquiring Fund (the “Merger
Shares”) (and cash in lieu of fractional shares) having an aggregate net asset value equal to the
value of the assets of the Acquired Fund on the Valuation Date (as defined below) less the value of
the liabilities of the Acquired Fund on the Valuation Date. Before the Closing Date (as defined
below), Acquired Fund will declare and pay to its stockholders a dividend or dividends in an amount
such that it will have distributed (i) the sum of (a) its net investment income and (b) the excess
of its net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses, and (ii) net capital gains,
all as described in Section 8(l) hereof. No certificates representing the Merger Shares will be
issued. Promptly after the Merger, Merger Sub will distribute all of its assets to Acquiring Fund,
and Acquiring Fund will assume all liabilities of Merger Sub, in complete liquidation and
dissolution of Merger Sub as provided herein, all upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set
forth in this Agreement (the “Liquidation”).
WHEREAS, Section 18-209 of the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, 6 Del.C. §18-101,
et seq. (the “LLC Act”), and Section 264 of the General Corporation Law of the
State of Delaware, 8 Del. C. § 101, et seq. (the “DGCL”) authorize the
merger of a Delaware corporation with and into a Delaware limited liability company; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees of Acquiring Fund has determined that the Merger and the Liquidation
of Merger Sub as contemplated hereby are in the best interests of Acquiring Fund and its
shareholders and that the interests of the existing shareholders of Acquiring Fund will not be
diluted as a result of this transaction; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of Acquired Fund has determined that the Merger is in the best
interests of Acquired Fund and its stockholders and that the interests of the existing stockholders
of Acquired Fund will not be diluted as a result of this transaction;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the covenants and agreements hereinafter
set forth, the parties hereto covenant and agree as follows:
1. | Merger and Liquidation. |
(a) | Subject to the requisite approval of the stockholders of Acquired Fund and to
the other terms and conditions contained herein (including Acquired Fund’s obligation
to distribute to its stockholders (i) the sum of (a) its net investment income and (b)
the excess of its net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses, and
(ii) net capital gains, all as described in Section 8(l) hereof), at the Effective Time
(as defined below in Section 3) Acquired Fund shall be merged with and into Merger Sub
and the separate corporate existence of Acquired Fund shall thereupon cease. Merger Sub
shall be the surviving company in the Merger (sometimes hereinafter referred to as the
“Surviving Company”) in accordance with Section 18-209 of the LLC Act and Section 264
of the DGCL, and the separate limited liability company existence of Merger Sub with
all its rights, |
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privileges, immunities, powers and franchises shall continue unaffected by the
Merger. The Merger shall have the effects specified in the LLC Act and the DGCL. |
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(b) | At the Effective Time, as a result of the Merger and without any action on the
part of the holder of any stock of Acquired Fund: |
(i) | Each share of common stock of Acquired Fund (the “Acquired
Common Stock”) issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time
shall, by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of the holder
thereof, be converted into, and become exchangeable for, the right to receive
the number of Merger Shares (and cash in lieu of fractional Merger Shares)
provided for in Section 2. |
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(ii) | Certificates representing interests in shares of Acquired
Common Stock will represent the right to receive a number of Merger Shares (and
cash in lieu of fractional Merger Shares) after the Effective Time, as
determined in accordance with Section 2. Acquiring Fund shall not issue
certificates representing Merger Shares in connection with such exchange. |
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(iii) | The membership interests in Merger Sub issued and outstanding
immediately prior to the Effective Time shall remain unchanged as a result of
the Merger and shall remain as the issued and outstanding membership interests
of the Surviving Company. |
(c) | The certificate of formation of Merger Sub as in effect immediately prior to
the Effective Time shall be the certificate of formation of the Surviving Company (the
“Certificate of Formation”), unless and until amended in accordance with its terms and
applicable law. The limited liability company agreement of the Merger Sub in effect
immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be the limited liability company
agreement of the Surviving Company (the “LLC Agreement”), unless and until amended in
accordance with its terms and applicable law. |
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(d) | At the Effective Time, Merger Sub shall continue in existence as the Surviving
Company, and without further transfer, succeed to and possess all of the rights,
privileges and powers of Acquired Fund, and all of the assets and property of whatever
kind and character of Acquired Fund shall vest in Merger Sub without further act or
deed; thereafter, Merger Sub, as the Surviving Company, shall be liable for all of the
liabilities and obligations of Acquired Fund, and any claim or judgment against
Acquired Fund may be enforced against Merger Sub, as the Surviving Company, in
accordance with Section 18-209 of the LLC Act and Section 259 of the DGCL. |
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(e) | All Merger Shares to be issued pursuant to the Merger shall be deemed issued
and outstanding as of the Effective Time and, whenever a dividend or other distribution
is declared by Acquiring Fund in respect of the Merger Shares, the record date for
which is at or after the Effective Time, that declaration shall include dividends or
other distributions in respect of all Merger Shares issuable pursuant to this
Agreement. |
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(f) | From and after the Effective Time, there shall be no transfers on the stock
transfer books of the Acquired Fund of the shares of Acquired Common Stock that were
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time. |
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(g) | In accordance with Section 262 of the DGCL, appraisal rights shall be available
to holders of shares of Acquired Common Stock in connection with the Merger. |
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(h) | As soon as is reasonably practicable after the Effective Time, Merger Sub shall
be dissolved and Acquiring Fund will assume all of Merger Sub’s liabilities and
obligations, known and unknown, contingent or otherwise, whether or not determinable,
and Merger Sub will distribute to Acquiring Fund, which will be the sole member of
Merger Sub at such time, all of the assets of Merger Sub in complete liquidation of its
interest in Merger Sub. As soon as reasonably practicable after such |
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assumption by Acquiring Fund of Merger Sub’s liabilities and obligations and such
distribution of Merger Sub’s assets to Acquiring Fund, and after the taking of all
other actions required under the laws of the State of Delaware and the Certificate
of Formation and LLC Agreement of Merger Sub in connection with the dissolution and
termination of Merger Sub, Merger Sub shall prepare, execute and file a Certificate
of Cancellation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, and elsewhere
as may be necessary or appropriate, and such other documents as may be required to
dissolve and terminate Merger Sub. |
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(i) | As soon as practicable following the requisite approval of the stockholders of
Acquired Fund, Acquired Fund will, at its expense, liquidate such of its portfolio
securities as Acquiring Fund indicates it does not wish to acquire. Such liquidation
will be substantially completed before the Closing Date, unless otherwise agreed by
Acquired Fund and Acquiring Fund. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this
paragraph (i) will require Acquired Fund to dispose of or purchase any assets if, in
the reasonable judgment of the Acquired Fund, such disposition or purchase would
adversely affect the tax-free nature of the Merger and Liquidation (collectively, a
reorganization under the Code) or would violate Acquired Fund’s fiduciary duty to its
shareholders. |
2. | Closing Date; Valuation Date. |
(a) | The net asset value of the Merger Shares (and cash paid in lieu of fractional
Merger Shares), the value of the assets of Acquired Fund and the value of the
liabilities of Acquired Fund will in each case be determined as of the Valuation Date. |
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(b) | The net asset value of the Merger Shares (and cash paid in lieu of fractional
Merger Shares) and the value of the assets and liabilities of Acquired Fund will be
determined by Acquiring Fund, in cooperation with Acquired Fund, pursuant to valuation
procedures customarily used by Acquiring Fund in determining the net asset value of
Acquiring Fund’s shares of beneficial interest, and a record of such determination will
be maintained by the Acquired Fund. |
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(c) | The Acquired Common Stock will be converted into, and become exchangeable for,
the right to receive the number of Merger Shares (as described in Section 1(b) above)
determined by dividing the net assets per share of Acquired Fund, computed in the
manner and as of the time and date set forth in this Section 2, by the net asset value
of one Merger Share, computed in the manner and as of the time and date set forth in
this Section 2. If based on this calculation, a stockholder of Acquired Common Stock
would be entitled to receive fractional Merger Shares, that stockholder will instead
receive cash in lieu of those fractional Merger Shares equal to the product of the
number of fractional Merger Shares (rounded to the nearest ten thousandths) to which
the stockholder is entitled and the net asset value of one Merger Share as described in
the immediately preceding sentence. |
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(d) | The investment restrictions of Acquired Fund will be temporarily amended to the
extent necessary to effect the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. |
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(e) | With respect to any Acquired Fund stockholder holding Acquired Fund share
certificates as of the Closing Date, Acquiring Fund will not permit such stockholder to
receive dividends and other distributions on the Merger Shares (although such dividends
and other distributions will be credited to the account of such stockholder), receive
certificates representing the Merger Shares or pledge such Merger Shares until such
stockholder has surrendered his or her outstanding Acquired Fund certificates or, in
the event of lost, stolen or destroyed certificates, posted adequate bond. In the
event that a stockholder is not permitted to receive dividends and other distributions
on the Merger Shares as provided in the preceding sentence, Acquiring Fund will pay any
such dividends or distributions in additional shares, notwithstanding any election that
the stockholder made previously with respect to the payment, in cash or otherwise, of
dividends and distributions on shares of Acquired Fund. Acquired Fund will, at its
expense, request the stockholders of Acquired |
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Fund to surrender their outstanding Acquired Fund certificates, or post adequate
bond, as the case may be. |
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(f) | The Valuation Date will be 4:00 p.m. New York Time on the Closing Date (the
“Valuation Date”). |
3. | Closing and Closing Date. |
(a) | The Closing Date of the Merger (the “Closing Date”) shall be such date as the
parties may agree to in writing. All acts taking place at the Closing shall be deemed
to take place simultaneously as of the time immediately after the close of business on
the Closing Date unless otherwise agreed to by the parties. The close of business on
the Closing Date shall be as of 4:00 p.m. New York Time. The Closing shall be held at
the offices of Ropes & Xxxx LLP, located at Xxx Xxxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxx, XX 00000
or at such other time and/or place as the parties may agree. As soon as practicable
following the Closing, Acquired Fund and Acquiring Fund will cause the Certificate of
Merger (the “Certificate of Merger”) to be executed, acknowledged and filed with the
Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as required by the DGCL and the LLC Act.
The Merger shall become effective upon the filing of the Certificate of Merger with the
Secretary of State of the State of Delaware or such later time as may be provided for
in the Certificate of Merger (the “Effective Time”). |
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(b) | In the event that on the Valuation Date (i) the primary trading market for
portfolio securities of the Acquiring Fund or Acquired Fund shall be closed to trading
or trading thereupon shall be restricted or (ii) trading or the reporting of trading
shall be disrupted so that, in the judgment of the Board of Directors of the Acquired
Fund or the Board of Trustees of the Acquiring Fund, accurate appraisal of the value of
the net assets of the Acquiring Fund or Acquired Fund is impracticable, the Valuation
Date shall be postponed until the first business day after the day when trading shall
have been fully resumed and reporting shall have been restored. |
4. | Expenses, fees, etc. |
(a) | All fees and expenses, including legal and accounting expenses, filing fees,
proxy materials and proxy solicitation with respect to Acquired Fund, the costs of
liquidating before the Closing Date portfolio securities of Acquired Fund to the extent
required under Section 1(i), portfolio transfer taxes (if any) or other similar
expenses incurred in connection with the consummation by Acquired Fund, Merger Sub and
Acquiring Fund of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (collectively, the
“Expenses”) will be borne by Acquired Fund and Acquiring Fund (for itself and Merger
Sub) in proportion to their respective net assets determined at the Valuation Date;
provided, however, that such Expenses will in any event be paid by the party directly
incurring such Expenses if and to the extent that the payment by the other party of
such Expenses would result in the disqualification of Acquiring Fund or Acquired Fund,
as the case may be, as a “regulated investment company” within the meaning of Section
851 of the Code or would prevent the transactions from qualifying as a tax-free
reorganization under the Code. |
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(b) | In the event the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are not
consummated by reason of (i) Acquiring Fund’s being either unwilling or unable to go
forward (other than by reason of the nonfulfillment or failure of any condition to
Acquiring Fund’s or Merger Sub’s obligations referred to in Section 8 (except
subsection 8(a)(ii))) or (ii) the non-fulfillment or failure of any condition to
Acquired Fund’s obligations referred to in Section 9 (except subsection 9(a)(ii)),
Acquiring Fund will pay directly all reasonable fees and expenses incurred by Acquired
Fund in connection with such transactions, including, without limitation, legal,
accounting and filing fees. |
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(c) | In the event the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are not
consummated by reason of (i) Acquired Fund’s being either unwilling or unable to go
forward (other than by reason of the nonfulfillment or failure of any condition to
Acquired Fund’s obligations referred to in Section 9 (except subsection 9(a)(ii))) or
(ii) the non-fulfillment or failure of any condition to Acquiring Fund’s or Merger
Sub’s obligations referred to in Section 8 (except subsection 8(a)(ii)), Acquired |
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Fund will pay directly all reasonable fees and expenses incurred by Acquiring Fund
and/or Merger Sub in connection with such transactions, including without limitation
legal, accounting and filing fees. |
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(d) | In the event the transactions contemplated by this Agreement are not
consummated for any reason other than (i) Acquiring Fund’s or Acquired Fund’s being
either unwilling or unable to go forward or (ii) the non-fulfillment or failure of any
condition to Acquiring Fund’s, Merger Sub’s or Acquired Fund’s obligations referred to
in Section 8 (except subsection 8(a)(ii)) or Section 9 (except subsection 9(a)(ii)) of
this Agreement, then each of Acquiring Fund (for itself and Merger Sub) and Acquired
Fund will bear all of its own expenses incurred in connection with such transactions. |
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(e) | Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, if for any reason the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement are not consummated, no party will be
liable to the other party for any damages resulting therefrom, including without
limitation consequential damages, except as specifically set forth above. |
5. | Representations and warranties of Acquiring Fund and Merger Sub. |
Acquiring Fund and Merger Sub represent and warrant to and agree with Acquired Fund that
(except as disclosed to Acquired Fund):
(a) | Acquiring Fund is a statutory trust duly established, validly existing and in
good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has power to own all of its
properties and assets and to carry out its obligations under this Agreement. Acquiring
Fund is duly qualified or licensed to do business as a foreign association and is in
good standing under the laws of any other jurisdiction in which the character of the
properties owned, leased or operated by it therein or in which the transaction of its
business makes such qualification or licensing necessary. Acquiring Fund has all
necessary federal, state and local authorizations to carry on its business as now being
conducted and to carry out this Agreement. |
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(b) | Merger Sub is a limited liability company duly formed, validly existing and in
good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, and has all the requisite power
and authority to own, lease and operate its properties and assets and to carry on its
business as it is now being conducted. |
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(c) | Acquiring Fund is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended (the “1940 Act”), as a closed-end management investment company, and such
registration has not been revoked or rescinded and is in full force and effect. |
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(d) | Merger Sub will file prior to the Closing Date an election under the 1940 Act
to be regulated as a business development company, and such election will not be
revoked or rescinded and will be in full force and effect. |
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(e) | A statement of assets and liabilities, statement of operations, statement of
changes in net assets and schedule of investments (indicating their market values) of
Acquiring Fund as of and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, audited by
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the Acquiring Fund’s independent registered public
accounting firm, have been furnished to Acquired Fund. The statements of assets and
liabilities and the schedules of investments fairly present the financial position of
Acquiring Fund as of their date, and the statements of operations and changes in net
assets fairly reflect the results of its operations and changes in net assets for the
periods covered thereby in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting
principles. |
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(f) | There are no material legal, administrative or other proceedings pending or, to
the knowledge of Acquiring Fund or Merger Sub, threatened against Acquiring Fund or
Merger Sub which assert liability or which may, if successfully prosecuted to their
conclusion, result in liability on the part |
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of Acquiring Fund or Merger Sub, other than as have been disclosed in the Prospectus
(as defined below) or otherwise disclosed in writing to Acquired Fund. |
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(g) | Acquiring Fund has no known liabilities of a material nature, contingent or
otherwise, other than those shown as belonging to it on its statement of assets and
liabilities as of December 31, 2008 and those incurred in the ordinary course of
Acquiring Fund’s business as an investment company since such date. Before the Closing
Date, Acquiring Fund will advise Acquired Fund of all material liabilities, contingent
or otherwise, incurred by it subsequent to December 31, 2008, whether or not incurred
in the ordinary course of business. |
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(h) | No consent, approval, authorization or order of any court or governmental
authority is required for the consummation by Acquiring Fund or Merger Sub of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except such as may be required under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”), the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”), the 1940 Act, state securities or blue sky laws
(which term as used herein will include the laws of the District of Columbia and of
Puerto Rico) or the Xxxx-Xxxxx-Xxxxxx Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 (the “H-S-R
Act”). |
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(i) | The registration statement and any amendment thereto (including any
post-effective amendment) (the “Registration Statement”) filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) by Acquiring Fund on Form N-14 relating to the
Merger Shares issuable hereunder and the proxy statement of Acquired Fund included
therein (the “Proxy Statement”), on the effective date of the Registration Statement,
(i) complied in all material respects with the provisions of the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act
and the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder and (ii) did not contain any
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; and at the
time of the stockholders’ meeting referred to in Section 7(a) and at the Closing Date,
the prospectus contained in the Registration Statement (the “Prospectus”), as amended
or supplemented by any amendments or supplements thereto, will not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; provided, however,
that none of the representations and warranties in this subsection will apply to
statements in or omissions from the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or the Proxy
Statement made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished by
Acquired Fund for use in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus or the Proxy
Statement. |
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(j) | There are no material contracts outstanding to which Acquiring Fund or Merger
Sub is a party, other than as will be disclosed in the Registration Statement or
otherwise disclosed in writing to Acquired Fund. |
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(k) | All of the issued and outstanding shares of beneficial interest of Acquiring
Fund have been offered for sale and sold in conformity with all applicable federal
securities laws. |
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(l) | For each taxable year of its operation, Acquiring Fund has met the requirements
of Subchapter M of the Code for qualification and treatment as a “regulated investment
company”, has elected to be treated as such, and has computed its U.S. federal income
tax under Section 852 of the Code. |
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(m) | As of the Closing Date and the Effective Time, Acquiring Fund will have filed
all federal, state, and other tax returns and reports which will have been required to
be filed by Acquiring Fund and will have paid or will pay all federal, state and other
taxes shown to be due on said returns or on any assessments received by Acquiring Fund,
will have adequately provided for all tax liabilities on its books, and to the
knowledge of Acquiring Fund, will not have had any tax deficiency or liability asserted
against it or question with respect thereto raised by the Internal Revenue Service or
by any state or local tax authority for taxes in excess of those already paid. As of
the Closing Date and the Effective Time, Acquiring Fund will not be under audit by the
Internal Revenue Service or by any state or local tax authority for taxes in excess of
those already paid. |
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(n) | The issuance of the Merger Shares pursuant to this Agreement will be in
compliance with all applicable federal securities laws. |
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(o) | The Merger Shares have been duly authorized and, when issued and delivered
pursuant to this Agreement, will be legally and validly issued and will be fully paid
and nonassessable by Acquiring Fund (except as set forth in the Registration
Statement), and no shareholder of Acquiring Fund will have any preemptive right of
subscription or purchase in respect thereof. |
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(p) | All of the issued and outstanding membership interests in Merger Sub are, and
at the Effective Time will be, owned by the Acquiring Fund, as sole member (the
“Member”), and there are (i) no other membership interests or voting securities of
Merger Sub, (ii) no securities of Merger Sub convertible into or exchangeable for
membership interests or voting securities of Merger Sub, and (iii) no options or other
rights to acquire from Merger Sub, and no obligations of Merger Sub to issue, any
membership interests, voting securities or securities convertible into or exchangeable
for membership interests or voting securities of Merger Sub. Merger Sub has not
conducted any business prior to the date hereof and has no, and prior to the Effective
Time will have no, assets, liabilities or obligations of any nature other than those
incident to its formation and pursuant to this Agreement and the Merger and the other
transactions contemplated by this Agreement. |
6. | Representations and warranties of Acquired Fund. |
Acquired Fund represents and warrants to and agrees with Acquiring Fund and Merger Sub that
(except as disclosed to Acquiring Fund and Merger Sub):
(a) | Acquired Fund is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has power to own all of its
properties and assets and to carry out its obligations under this Agreement. Acquired
Fund is duly qualified or licensed to do business as a foreign corporation and is in
good standing under the laws of any other jurisdiction in which the character of the
properties owned, leased or operated by it therein or in which the transaction of its
business makes such qualification or licensing necessary. Acquired Fund has all
necessary federal, state and local authorizations to carry on its business as now being
conducted and to carry out this Agreement. |
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(b) | Acquired Fund is a closed-end company that has filed an election under the 1940
Act to be regulated as a business development company, and such election has not been
revoked or rescinded and is in full force and effect. |
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(c) | A statement of assets and liabilities, statement of operations, statement of
changes in net assets and schedule of investments (indicating their market values) of
Acquired Fund as of and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, audited by
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the Acquired Fund’s independent registered public
accounting firm, have been furnished to Acquiring Fund. The statements of assets and
liabilities and schedules of investments fairly present the financial position of
Acquired Fund as of their date, and the statements of operations and changes in net
assets fairly reflect the results of its operations and changes in net assets for the
periods covered thereby in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting
principles. |
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(d) | There are no material legal, administrative or other proceedings pending or, to
the knowledge of Acquired Fund, threatened against Acquired Fund which assert liability
or which may, if successfully prosecuted to their conclusion, result in liability on
the part of Acquired Fund, other than as have been disclosed in the Registration
Statement or otherwise disclosed in writing to the Acquiring Fund. |
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(e) | Acquired Fund has no known liabilities of a material nature, contingent or
otherwise, other than those shown as belonging to it on its statement of assets and
liabilities as of December 31, 2008 and those incurred in the ordinary course of
Acquired Fund’s business as an investment company |
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since such date. Before the Closing Date, Acquired Fund will advise Acquiring Fund
of all material liabilities, contingent or otherwise, incurred by it subsequent to
December 31, 2008, whether or not incurred in the ordinary course of business. |
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(f) | No consent, approval, authorization or order of any court or governmental
authority is required for the consummation by Acquired Fund of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, except such as may be required under the 1933 Act, the
1934 Act, the 1940 Act, state securities or blue sky laws or the H-S-R Act. |
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(g) | The Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the Proxy Statement, on the
Effective Date of the Registration Statement and insofar as they do not relate to
Acquiring Fund (i) complied in all material respects with the provisions of the 1933
Act, the 1934 Act and the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder and (ii)
did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not
misleading; and at the time of the stockholders’ meeting referred to in Section 7(a)
below and on the Closing Date, the Prospectus, as amended or supplemented by any
amendments or supplements thereto, will not contain any untrue statement of a material
fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statements therein not misleading; provided, however, that the representations
and warranties in this subsection will apply only to statements of fact or omissions of
statements of fact relating to Acquired Fund contained in the Registration Statement,
the Prospectus or the Proxy Statement, as such Registration Statement, Prospectus and
Proxy Statement will be furnished to Acquired Fund in definitive form as soon as
practicable following effectiveness of the Registration Statement and before any public
distribution of the Prospectus or Proxy Statement. |
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(h) | There are no material contracts outstanding to which Acquired Fund is a party,
other than as will be disclosed in the Registration Statement or otherwise disclosed in
writing to Acquiring Fund. |
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(i) | All of the issued and outstanding shares of beneficial interest of Acquired
Fund have been offered for sale and sold in conformity with all applicable federal
securities laws. |
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(j) | For each taxable year of its operation (including the taxable year ending on
the Effective Date), Acquired Fund has met the requirements of Subchapter M of the Code
for qualification and treatment as a “regulated investment company”, has elected to be
treated as such, and has computed its U.S. federal income tax under Section 852 of the
Code. |
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(k) | As of the Closing Date and the Effective Time, Acquired Fund has filed or will
file all federal, state and other tax returns and reports which will have been required
to be filed by Acquired Fund and will have paid or will pay all federal, state or other
taxes shown to be due on said returns or on any assessments received by Acquired Fund,
will have adequately provided for all tax liabilities on its books, and to the
knowledge of Acquired Fund, will not have had any tax deficiency or liability asserted
against it or any question with respect thereto raised by the Internal Revenue Service
or by any state or local tax authority for taxes in excess of those already paid. As
of the Closing Date and the Effective Time, Acquired Fund will not be under audit by
the Internal Revenue Service or by any state or local tax authority for taxes in excess
of those already paid. |
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(l) | On the Closing Date, the Acquired Fund will have good and marketable title to
all of its Investments (as defined below) and other assets to be held immediately prior
to the Effective Time and Merger Sub will acquire good and marketable title thereto,
subject to no encumbrances, liens or security interests whatsoever and without any
restrictions on the full transfer thereof, including such restrictions as might arise
under the 1933 Act, other than as previously disclosed to Acquiring Fund. As used in
this Agreement, the term “Investments” means Acquired Fund’s investments shown on the
schedule of its investments as of December 31, 2008, as supplemented with such changes
as Acquired Fund makes in connection with its business as a business development
company and changes resulting from stock dividends, stock splits, mergers and similar
corporate actions. |
8
7. | Covenants of the Acquired Fund and Acquiring Fund. |
(a) | Acquired Fund agrees to call a meeting of its stockholders as soon as is
practicable after the date hereof for, among other things, the purpose of considering
the matters contemplated by this Agreement. |
||
(b) | Acquiring Fund has filed the Registration Statement with the Commission. Each
of Acquired Fund and Acquiring Fund will cooperate with the other, and each will
furnish to the other the information relating to itself required by the 1933 Act, the
1934 Act and the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder to be set forth in
the Registration Statement, including the Prospectus and the Proxy Statement. |
||
(c) | As soon as reasonably practicable after the Effective Time, the Acquiring Fund
will assume all of Merger Sub’s liabilities and obligations, known and unknown,
contingent or otherwise, whether or not determinable, and Merger Sub will make a
liquidating distribution of all of its assets to the Acquiring Fund, which will be
Merger Sub’s sole member at such time. |
||
(d) | Acquired Fund covenants that it will, from time to time, as and when reasonably
requested by the Acquiring Fund, execute and deliver or cause to be executed and
delivered all such assignments and other instruments, and will take or cause to be
taken such further action as the Acquiring Fund or Merger Sub may reasonably deem
necessary or desirable in order to ultimately vest and confirm Merger Sub’s and,
following the liquidating distribution referred to in paragraph (c) above, the
Acquiring Fund’s title to and possession of all of the assets of the Acquired Fund and
to otherwise carry out the intent and purpose of this Agreement. |
8. | Conditions to Acquiring Fund’s and Merger Sub’s obligations. |
The obligations of Acquiring Fund and Merger Sub hereunder are subject to the following
conditions:
(a) | That this Agreement will have been adopted and the transactions contemplated
hereby will have been approved by the affirmative vote of (i) at least a majority of
the Directors of Acquired Fund (including a majority of those Directors who are not
“interested persons” of Acquired Fund, as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act),
(ii) holders of a majority of the outstanding common shares of Acquired Fund, (iii) a
majority of the Trustees of Acquiring Fund (including a majority of those Trustees who
are not “interested persons” of Acquiring Fund, as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the
1940 Act), and (iv) Acquiring Fund, as the sole Member of Merger Sub. |
||
(b) | No demands for appraisal shall have been or none may still be made in
accordance with DGCL Section 262, or if such demands for appraisal have been made or
may still be made in accordance with Delaware law, the Boards of the Acquired Fund and
Acquiring Fund have determined to continue the Reorganization notwithstanding such
appraisals. |
||
(c) | That Acquired Fund will have furnished to Acquiring Fund a statement of
Acquired Fund’s assets and liabilities, with values determined as provided in Section
2 of this Agreement, together with a list of Investments with their respective tax
costs, all as of the Valuation Date, certified on Acquired Fund’s behalf by Acquired
Fund’s President (or any Vice President) and Treasurer (or Assistant Treasurer) and a
certificate of both such officers, dated the Closing Date, to the effect that as of the
Valuation Date and as of the Closing Date there has been no material adverse change in
the financial position of Acquired Fund since December 31, 2008 other than changes in
the Investments and other assets and properties since that date or changes in the
market value of the Investments and other assets of Acquired Fund or changes due to
dividends paid or losses from operations. |
||
(d) | That Acquired Fund will have furnished to Acquiring Fund a statement, dated the
Closing Date, signed on behalf of Acquired Fund by Acquired Fund’s President (or any
Vice President) and |
9
Treasurer (or Assistant Treasurer) certifying that as of the Valuation Date and as
of the Closing Date all representations and warranties of Acquired Fund made in this
Agreement are true and correct in all material respects as if made at and as of such
dates, and that Acquired Fund has complied with all of the agreements and satisfied
all of the conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied at or before each of
such dates. |
|||
(e) | That there will not be any material litigation pending with respect to the
matters contemplated by this Agreement. |
||
(f) | That Acquiring Fund will have received an opinion of Ropes & Xxxx LLP and/or
Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Xxxxxxx LLP, dated the Closing Date, in form satisfactory to
Acquiring Fund, to the effect that (i) Acquired Fund is a corporation duly
incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of
Delaware, and, to the knowledge of such counsel, is not required to qualify to do
business as a foreign corporation in any jurisdiction where it is not so qualified,
except as may be required by state securities or blue sky laws or where the failure to
so qualify would not have a material adverse effect on the ability of Acquired Fund to
consummate the transactions contemplated hereunder, (ii) this Agreement has been duly
authorized, executed, and delivered by Acquired Fund and, assuming due authorization,
execution and delivery of this Agreement by Acquiring Fund and Merger Sub, is a valid
and binding obligation of Acquired Fund, (iii) Acquired Fund has the corporate power
and authority to execute and deliver the Agreement and perform its obligations
thereunder, and (iv) no consent, approval, authorization or order of any court or
governmental authority is required for the consummation by Acquired Fund of the
transactions contemplated hereby, except such as have been obtained under the 1933 Act,
the 1934 Act, the 1940 Act and such as may be required under state securities or blue
sky laws and the H-S-R Act. |
||
(g) | That Acquiring Fund will have received an opinion of Ropes & Xxxx LLP dated as
of the Closing Date (which opinion will be based upon certain factual representations
and subject to certain qualifications) reasonably satisfactory to the Acquiring Fund
and substantially to the effect that, on the basis of the existing provisions of the
Code, current administrative rules and court decisions, generally for federal income
tax purposes: (i) the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will constitute a
reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code and Acquired Fund and
Acquiring Fund will each be a “party to a reorganization” within the meaning of the
Code; (ii) no gain or loss will be recognized by the Acquiring Fund upon the Merger or
Liquidation; (iii) the basis of the Assets (defined as all Investments and other assets
of the Acquired Fund) in the hands of Acquiring Fund will be the same as the basis of
such Assets in the hands of the Acquired Fund immediately prior to the Merger; (iv) the
holding periods of the Assets in the hands of Acquiring Fund will include the periods
during which such Assets were held by the Acquired Fund; (v) no gain or loss will be
recognized by the Acquired Fund upon the Merger or Liquidation; (vi) no gain or loss
will be recognized by Acquired Fund stockholders on the conversion of shares of
Acquired Common Stock into Merger Shares (except to the extent an Acquired Fund
stockholder receives cash in lieu of fractional Merger Shares); (vii) the aggregate
basis of Merger Shares received by Acquired Fund stockholders will be the same as the
aggregate basis of shares of Acquired Common Stock converted into such Merger Shares
(except to the extent reduced by the portion of the adjusted basis in shares of
Acquired Common Stock that is allocable to any fractional Merger Shares for which cash
in lieu of such fractional Merger Shares is received); (viii) the holding periods of
Merger Shares received by Acquired Fund stockholders will include the holding periods
of shares of Acquired Common Stock converted into such Merger Shares, provided that at
the time of the Merger, shares of Acquired Common Stock are held by such stockholders
as capital assets; and (ix) the Acquiring Fund will succeed to and take into account
the items of the Acquired Fund described in Section 381(c) of the Code, subject to the
conditions and limitations specified in Sections 381, 382, 383, and 384 of the Code and
the regulations thereunder (the “Tax Opinion”). The Tax Opinion will not express any
view with respect to the effect of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement on
any transferred asset as to which any unrealized gain or loss is required to be
recognized under U.S. federal income tax principles (1) at the end of a taxable year or
(ii) on the termination or transfer thereof without |
10
reference to whether such a termination or transfer would otherwise be a taxable
transaction. The Tax Opinion may state that it is not a guarantee that the tax
consequences of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will be as described
in such opinion. |
|||
(h) | That the assets of Acquired Fund to be acquired by Acquiring Fund will include
no assets which Acquiring Fund, by reason of charter limitations or of investment
restrictions disclosed in the Registration Statement in effect on the Closing Date, may
not properly acquire. |
||
(i) | That the Registration Statement will have become effective under the 1933 Act,
and no stop order suspending such effectiveness will have been instituted or, to the
knowledge of Acquiring Fund, threatened by the Commission. |
||
(j) | That Acquiring Fund and Merger Sub will have received from the Commission, any
relevant state securities administrator, the Federal Trade Commission (the “FTC”) and
the Department of Justice (the “Department”) such order or orders as Ropes & Xxxx LLP
deems reasonably necessary or desirable under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, the 1940 Act,
any applicable state securities or blue sky laws and the H-S-R Act in connection with
the transactions contemplated hereby and that all such orders will be in full force and
effect. |
||
(k) | That all actions taken by or on behalf of Acquired Fund and Merger Sub in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and all documents
incidental thereto will be satisfactory in form and substance to Acquiring Fund, Merger
Sub and Ropes & Xxxx LLP. |
||
(l) | That, before the Closing Date, Acquired Fund will have declared a dividend or
dividends which, together with all previous such dividends, will have the effect of
distributing to the shareholders of Acquired Fund (i) all of the excess of (X) Acquired
Fund’s investment interest excludable from gross income under Section 103(a) of the
Code over (Y) Acquired Fund’s deductions disallowed under Sections 265 and 171(a)(2) of
the Code, (ii) all of Acquired Fund’s investment company taxable income (as defined in
Section 852 of the Code) (computed in each case without regard to any deduction for
dividends paid), and (iii) all of its net capital gain (as defined in Section 1222 of
the Code) realized (after reduction by any capital loss carryover), in each case for
both the current taxable year of the Acquired Fund (which will end at the Effective
Time) and immediately preceding taxable year of the Acquired Fund. |
||
(m) | That Acquired Fund’s custodian will have delivered to Acquiring Fund a
certificate identifying all of the assets of Acquired Fund held by such custodian as of
the Valuation Date. |
||
(n) | That Acquired Fund’s transfer agent will have provided to Acquiring Fund or its
transfer agent (i) the originals or true copies of all of the records of Acquired Fund
in the possession of such transfer agent as of the Closing Date, (ii) a certificate
setting forth the number of shares of Acquired Fund outstanding as of the Valuation
Date and (iii) the name and address of each holder of record of any such shares and the
number of shares held of record by each such stockholder. |
||
(o) | If at any time the Acquiring Fund and Merger Sub shall consider or be advised
that any further assignment, conveyance or assurance is necessary or advisable to vest,
perfect or confirm of record in the Surviving Company or Acquiring Fund the title to
any property or right of the Acquired Fund, or otherwise to carry out the provisions
hereof, the proper representatives of the Acquired Fund as of the Effective Time shall
execute and deliver any and all proper deeds, assignments and assurances and do all
things necessary or proper to vest, perfect or convey title to such property or right
in the Surviving Company or Acquiring Fund, as the case may be, and otherwise to carry
out the provisions hereof. |
||
(p) | That the Merger Shares shall have been accepted for listing by the New York
Stock Exchange. |
11
(q) | The Acquiring Fund and the Acquired Fund will have received an opinion of
Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Xxxxxxx LLP in such form and addressing such matters as the
Funds may mutually agree. |
9. | Conditions to Acquired Fund’s obligations. |
The obligations of Acquired Fund hereunder will be subject to the following conditions:
(a) | That this Agreement will have been adopted and the transactions contemplated
hereby will have been approved by the affirmative vote of (i) at least a majority of
the Directors of Acquired Fund (including a majority of those Directors who are not
“interested persons” of Acquired Fund, as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act),
(ii) holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Acquired Fund, (iii) a majority
of the Trustees of Acquiring Fund (including a majority of those Trustees who are not
“interested persons” of Acquiring Fund, as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940
Act), and (iv) Acquiring Fund, as the sole Member of Merger Sub. |
||
(b) | No demands for appraisal shall have been or none may still be made in
accordance with DGCL Section 262, or if such demands for appraisal have been made or
may still be made in accordance with Delaware law, the Boards of the Acquired Fund and
Acquiring Fund have determined to continue the Reorganization notwithstanding such
demands. |
||
(c) | That Acquiring Fund will have furnished to Acquired Fund a statement of
Acquiring Fund’s assets and liabilities, together with a list of portfolio holdings
with values determined as provided in Section 2 of this Agreement, all as of the
Valuation Date, certified on behalf of Acquiring Fund by Acquiring Fund’s President (or
any Vice President) and Treasurer (or Assistant Treasurer) and a certificate of both
such officers, dated the Closing Date, to the effect that as of the Valuation Date and
as of the Closing Date there has been no material adverse change in the financial
position of Acquiring Fund since December 31, 2008, other than changes in its portfolio
securities since that date, changes in the market value of its portfolio securities or
changes due to dividends paid or losses from operations. |
||
(d) | That Acquiring Fund will have furnished to Acquired Fund a statement, dated the
Closing Date, signed on behalf of Acquiring Fund by Acquiring Fund’s President (or any
Vice President) and Treasurer (or Assistant Treasurer) certifying that as of the
Valuation Date and as of the Closing Date all representations and warranties of
Acquiring Fund made in this Agreement are true and correct in all material respects as
if made at and as of such dates, and that Acquiring Fund has complied with all of the
agreements and satisfied all of the conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied
at or prior to each of such dates. |
||
(e) | That there will not be any material litigation pending or threatened with
respect to the matters contemplated by this Agreement. |
||
(f) | That Acquired Fund will have received an opinion of Ropes & Xxxx LLP and/or
Morris, Nichols, Arsht & Xxxxxxx LLP, dated the Closing Date, in form satisfactory to
Acquired Fund, to the effect that (i) Acquiring Fund is a statutory trust duly formed,
validly existing and in good standing in conformity with the laws of the State of
Delaware and, to the knowledge of such counsel, is not required to qualify to do
business as a foreign association in any jurisdiction where it is not so qualified,
except as may be required by state securities or blue sky laws or where the failure to
so qualify would not have a material adverse effect on the ability of Acquiring Fund to
consummate the transactions contemplated hereunder, (ii) Merger Sub is a limited
liability company duly formed, validly existing and in good standing in conformity with
the laws of the State of Delaware, and, to the knowledge of such counsel, is not
required to qualify to do business as a foreign association in any jurisdiction where
it is not so qualified, except as may be required by state securities or blue sky laws
or where the failure to so qualify would not have a material adverse effect on the
ability of Merger Sub to consummate the transactions contemplated hereunder, (iii) this
Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by Acquiring Fund and Merger
Sub, and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement |
12
by Acquired Fund, is a valid and binding obligation of Acquiring Fund and Merger
Sub, (iv) the Merger Shares to be delivered to Acquired Fund as provided for by this
Agreement are duly authorized and upon such delivery will be validly issued and will
be fully paid and nonassessable by Acquiring Fund (except as set forth in the
Registration Statement) and no shareholder of Acquiring Fund has any preemptive
right to purchase any such Merger Shares, (v) no consent, approval, authorization or
order of any court or governmental authority is required for the consummation by
Acquiring Fund or Merger Sub of the transactions contemplated herein, except such as
have been obtained under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act and the 1940 Act and such as may
be required under state securities or blue sky laws and the H-S-R Act, and (vi) the
Registration Statement has become effective under the 1933 Act, and, to the best of
the knowledge of such counsel, no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the
Registration Statement has been issued and no proceedings for that purpose have been
instituted or are pending or contemplated under the 1933 Act. |
|||
(g) | That Acquired Fund will have received a Tax Opinion of Ropes & Xxxx LLP dated
as of the Closing Date (the substance of which is described above in Section 8(g)) and
reasonably satisfactory to the Acquired Fund. The Tax Opinion will not express any
view with respect to the effect of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement on
any transferred asset as to which any unrealized gain or loss is required to be
recognized under U.S. federal income tax principles (i) at the end of a taxable year or
(ii) on the termination or transfer thereof without reference to whether such a
termination or transfer would otherwise be a taxable transaction. The Tax Opinion may
state that it is based on certain factual representations and subject to certain
qualifications. The Tax Opinion may also state that it is not a guarantee that the tax
consequences of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will be as described in
such opinion. |
||
(h) | That all proceedings taken by or on behalf of Acquiring Fund and Merger Sub in
connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and all documents
incidental thereto will be satisfactory in form and substance to Acquired Fund and
Ropes & Xxxx LLP. |
||
(i) | That the Registration Statement will have become effective under the 1933 Act
and no stop order suspending such effectiveness will have been instituted or, to the
knowledge of Acquiring Fund, threatened by the Commission. |
||
(j) | That Acquired Fund will have received from the Commission, any relevant state
securities administrator, the FTC and the Department such order or orders as Ropes &
Xxxx LLP deems reasonably necessary or desirable under the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act, the
1940 Act, any applicable state securities or blue sky laws and the H-S-R Act in
connection with the transactions contemplated hereby and that all such orders will be
in full force and effect. |
||
(k) | That the Merger Shares shall have been accepted for listing by the New York
Stock Exchange. |
||
(l) | The Acquired Fund will have received an opinion of Morris, Nichols, Arsht &
Xxxxxxx LLP in such form and addressing such matters as the Funds may mutually agree. |
10. | Indemnification. |
(a) | Acquired Fund will indemnify and hold harmless, out of the assets of Acquired
Fund but no other assets, Acquiring Fund, its trustees and its officers (for purposes
of this subparagraph, the “Indemnified Parties”) against any and all expenses, losses,
claims, damages and liabilities at any time imposed upon or reasonably incurred by any
one or more of the Indemnified Parties in connection with, arising out of, or resulting
from any claim, action, suit or proceeding in which any one or more of the Indemnified
Parties may be involved or with which any one or more of the Indemnified Parties may be
threatened by reason of any breach of any representation or warranty of the Acquired
Fund contained in this Agreement or untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a
material fact, to the extent based on or derived from documents provided by the
Acquired Fund, contained in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, the Proxy
Statement or any |
13
amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing, or arising out of or based upon the
omission or alleged omission to state in any of the foregoing a material fact
relating to Acquired Fund required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements relating to Acquired Fund therein not misleading, including, without
limitation, any amounts paid by any one or more of the Indemnified Parties in a
reasonable compromise or settlement of any such claim, action, suit or proceeding,
or threatened claim, action, suit or proceeding made with the consent of Acquired
Fund. The Indemnified Parties will notify Acquired Fund in writing within ten days
after the receipt by any one or more of the Indemnified Parties of any notice of
legal process or any suit brought against or claim made against such Indemnified
Party as to any matters covered by this Section 10(a). Acquired Fund will be
entitled to participate at its own expense in the defense of any claim, action, suit
or proceeding covered by this Section 10(a) or, if it so elects, to assume at its
expense by counsel satisfactory to the Indemnified Parties the defense of any such
claim, action, suit or proceeding and, if Acquired Fund elects to assume such
defense, the Indemnified Parties will be entitled to participate in the defense of
any such claim, action, suit or proceeding at their expense. Acquired Fund’s
obligation under this Section 10(a) to indemnify and hold harmless the Indemnified
Parties will constitute a guarantee of payment so that Acquired Fund will pay in the
first instance any expenses, losses, claims, damages and liabilities required to be
paid by it under this Section 10(a) without the necessity of the Indemnified
Parties’ first paying the same. |
|||
(b) | Acquiring Fund will indemnify and hold harmless, out of the assets of Acquiring
Fund but no other assets, Acquired Fund, its directors and its officers (for purposes
of this subparagraph, the “Indemnified Parties”) against any and all expenses, losses,
claims, damages and liabilities at any time imposed upon or reasonably incurred by any
one or more of the Indemnified Parties in connection with, arising out of, or resulting
from any claim, action, suit or proceeding in which any one or more of the Indemnified
Parties may be involved or with which any one or more of the Indemnified Parties may be
threatened by reason of any breach of any representation or warranty of the Acquiring
Fund contained in this Agreement or untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a
material fact, to the extent based on or derived from documents provided by the
Acquiring Fund, contained in the Registration Statement, the Prospectuses, the Proxy
Statement, or any amendment or supplement to any thereof, or arising out of, or based
upon, the omission or alleged omission to state in any of the foregoing a material fact
relating to Acquiring Fund required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements relating to Acquiring Fund therein not misleading, including without
limitation any amounts paid by any one or more of the Indemnified Parties in a
reasonable compromise or settlement of any such claim, action, suit or proceeding, or
threatened claim, action, suit or proceeding made with the consent of Acquiring Fund.
The Indemnified Parties will notify Acquiring Fund in writing within ten days after the
receipt by any one or more of the Indemnified Parties of any notice of legal process or
any suit brought against or claim made against such Indemnified Party as to any matters
covered by this Section 10(b). Acquiring Fund will be entitled to participate at its
own expense in the defense of any claim, action, suit or proceeding covered by this
Section 10(b) or, if it so elects, to assume at its expense by counsel satisfactory to
the Indemnified Parties the defense of any such claim, action, suit or proceeding and,
if Acquiring Fund elects to assume such defense, the Indemnified Parties will be
entitled to participate in the defense of any such claim, action, suit or proceeding at
their own expense. Acquiring Fund’s obligation under this Section 10(b) to indemnify
and hold harmless the Indemnified Parties will constitute a guarantee of payment so
that Acquiring Fund will pay in the first instance any expenses, losses, claims,
damages and liabilities required to be paid by it under this Section 10(b) without the
necessity of the Indemnified Parties’ first paying the same. |
11. | No broker, etc. |
Each of Acquired Fund and Acquiring Fund represents that there is no person who has dealt
with it who by reason of such dealings is entitled to any broker’s or finder’s or other
similar fee or commission arising out of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
14
12. | Rule 145. |
|
Pursuant to Rule 145 under the 1933 Act, Acquiring Fund will, in connection with the
issuance of any Merger Shares to any person who at the time of the transaction contemplated
hereby is deemed to be an affiliate of a party to the transaction pursuant to Rule 145(c),
cause to be affixed upon any certificates issued to such person a legend as follows: |
||
“THESE SHARES HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, AND MAY
NOT BE SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT TO HIGHLAND CREDIT STRATEGIES FUND UNLESS (I) A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT WITH RESPECT THERETO IS EFFECTIVE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933,
AS AMENDED, OR (II) IN THE OPINION OF COUNSEL REASONABLY SATISFACTORY TO HIGHLAND CREDIT
STRATEGIES FUND SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED.” |
||
and, further, Acquiring Fund will issue stop transfer instructions to Acquiring Fund’s
transfer agent with respect to such shares. Acquired Fund will provide Acquiring Fund on
the Closing Date with the name of any Acquired Fund shareholder who is to the knowledge of
Acquired Fund an affiliate of Acquired Fund on such date. |
||
13. | Covenants, etc. deemed material. |
|
All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made under this Agreement and any
certificates delivered pursuant to this Agreement will be deemed to have been material and
relied upon by each of the parties, notwithstanding any investigation made by them or on
their behalf. |
||
14. | Sole agreement. |
|
This Agreement supersedes all previous correspondence and oral communications between the
parties regarding the subject matter hereof, constitutes the only understanding with respect
to such subject matter, and will be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of
the State of Delaware. |
||
15. | Agreement and declaration of trust of Acquiring Fund. |
|
Notice is hereby given that this instrument is adopted on behalf of Acquiring Fund’s
trustees solely in their capacities as trustees, and not individually, and that Acquiring
Fund’s obligations under this instrument are not binding on or enforceable against any of
its trustees, officers, or shareholders but are only binding on and enforceable against its
property. Acquired Fund, in asserting any rights or claims under this Agreement, shall look
only to Acquiring Fund’s property in settlement of such rights or claims and not to such
trustees, officers, or shareholders. |
||
16. | Amendment. |
|
The Acquired Fund and Acquiring Fund by consent of their respective Board of
Directors/Trustees and the Merger Sub by consent of its sole Member, the Acquiring Fund, may
amend, modify or supplement this Agreement in such manner as may be agreed upon by them in
writing, at any time prior to the Effective Time, including after it is approved by
stockholders of the Acquired Fund, to the extent permitted by applicable law. |
||
17. | Waiver. |
|
At any time on or prior to the Exchange Date, the trustees/directors of the Acquired Fund
and the Acquiring Fund or Acquiring Fund as sole Member of Merger Sub, after consultation
with counsel, may waive any condition to a Fund’s or Merger Sub’s respective obligations
hereunder if they have determined such waiver will not have a material adverse consequence
to the stockholders/shareholders of either Fund or to Merger Sub. |
15
18. | Termination. |
|
This Agreement may be terminated and the transactions herein provided for abandoned at any
time, whether before or after approval of this Agreement by the stockholders of the Acquired
Fund, by action of the Board of Directors/Trustees of either Fund, if the applicable Board
for such Fund determines for any reason that the consummation of the transactions provided
for herein would for any reason be inadvisable or not in the best interests of such Fund or
its shareholders or if demands for appraisal have been made or may still be made in
accordance with Delaware law. |
||
19. | Miscellaneous. |
|
This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be
deemed to be an original, and such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the
same instrument. |
[Signature Page Follows]
16
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Acquiring Fund and Acquired Fund, pursuant to approval and authorization duly
given by resolutions adopted by their respective Boards of Trustees and Directors, as applicable,
have each caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above by a duly
authorized officer.
HIGHLAND CREDIT STRATEGIES FUND |
||||
By: | /s/ R. Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx | |||
Name: | R. Xxxxxx Xxxxxxxxx | |||
Title: | President | |||
HIGHLAND DISTRESSED OPPORTUNITIES, INC. |
||||
By: | /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx | |||
Name: | Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx | |||
Title: | President |
17
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Merger Sub, pursuant to approval and authorization duly given by its sole
Member has caused this Agreement to be executed by it sole Member as of the date first written
above.
HCF ACQUISITION LLC |
||||
By: | HIGHLAND CREDIT STRATEGIES FUND, the sole Member of HCF Acquisition LLC | |||
By: | ||||
Name: | M. Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxx | |||
Title: | Treasurer | |||
18